Ballinger wins title at Hudson Super 16s

Monday

Jan 21, 2013 at 9:00 AM

By Ed Patinoed.patino@hillsdale.netHUDSON — Carter Ballinger made some history for the Jonesville High School wrestling team.The junior went went undefeated on the day and captured the 125-pound championship Saturday as the Comets wrestled in the Hudson Super 16 Tournament.Ballinger is the first ever Jonesville wrestler to win a championship at the annual tournament, which featured 20 teams from all divisions, several of which are ranked in the state's polls.As a team, Jonesville placed 14th with a team score of 34. Division 3 power Dundee won the team championship with 233 points, while reigning four-time Division 4 state champion Hudson was second with 188. Richmond placed third with 148.5 points and Detroit Catholic Central was fifth with 95.5 points.Hillsdale also competed in the tournament but did not post a team score. The Hornets had two wrestlers place.While Ballinger was the lone champion for Jonesville in Saturday's main bracket, five other Comets placed in Friday's varsity B tournament. Jacob Stiles won the 112-pound class, while AJ Blaker captured the 140-pound division. Dillon Fairbanks was second in the 152-pound class while Caleb Benn placed third in the same division. Michael Sharp took third for Jonesville in the 189-pound class.Kevin Curby finished fourth in the 160-pound division to lead Hillsdale. Nate Boardman took fifth place for the Hornets in the heavyweight division.Both Jonesville and Hillsdale will wrestle Wednesday. The Comets will visit Union City for a Big Eight dual, while the Hornets travel to Blissfield for a quad meet.Reading at Comstock TournamentThe Reading High School wrestling team finished with a 2-3 record Saturday at the Comstock Tournament.After a 61-18 loss to Napoleon in the opening dual, the Rangers fell 48-18 to Battle Creek Lakeview. Reading bounced back with a 45-30 victory over Manistee, then fell to Division 3 power Constantine 62-18. The Rangers closed out the day with a 57-24 victory over Galesburg-Augusta."We couldn't get rolling early on, but finally came alive against a tough Manistee team," Reading coach Mark Draper said. "This is a tough tournament and we're looking to go back there next year."Jeremy Stewart went 4-1 on the day to lead Reading. Jarret Wolford, Alex Ely and Dylan Burlew each finished 3-1.The Rangers travel to Quincy for a Big Eight dual Wednesday evening.